Accelerating transmission capacity expansion by using advanced conductors in existing right-of-way.

As countries pursue decarbonization goals, the rapid expansion of transmission capacity for renewable energy (RE) integration poses a significant challenge due to hurdles such as permitting and cost allocation. However, we find that large-scale reconductoring with advanced composite-core conductors can cost-effectively double transmission capacity within existing right-of-way, with limited additional permitting. This strategy unlocks a high availability of increasingly economically viable RE resources in close proximity to the existing network.

Economic Case for Replacing High-Emitting Peaker Plants with Fuel Cells for Automotive Applications.

The identification of clean and cost-effective solutions to replace high-emitting peaker plants and support a just transition is a challenge faced by utilities across the US today. However, falling costs of hydrogen production as well as the widespread availability of fuel cells for automotive applications have made them an attractive option for a zero-emission peak power supply. This study evaluates the techno-economics, operation, and environmental justice impacts of siting a peaker plant based on fuel cells for automotive applications through the lens of the existing Intermountain Power Plant, in order to supply peak power to the Los Angeles basin.

Leveraging automotive fuel cells can supply zero-emission peak power in the near-term.

An increasingly decarbonized yet resilient power grid requires the corresponding build-out of dispatchable zero-emission resources to supply peak power. However, there is a recognized dearth of solutions which can serve multi-day peak demand events both cost-effectively and with near-term deployability. Here, we find that pairing low-cost automotive fuel cells with hydrogen storage in salt caverns can serve as a peaker plant at less than 500 US$/kW at present, a fraction of the cost of conventional fossil fuel-fired peakers.

Achieving an 80% carbon-free electricity system in China by 2035.

Dramatic reductions in solar, wind, and battery storage costs create new opportunities to reduce emissions and costs in China's electricity sector, beyond current policy goals. This study examines the cost, reliability, emissions, public health, and employment implications of increasing the share of non-fossil fuel ("carbon free") electricity generation in China to 80% by 2035. The analysis uses state-of-the-art modeling with high resolution load, wind, and solar inputs.

Least-cost targets and avoided fossil fuel capacity in India's pursuit of renewable energy.

India has set aggressive targets to install more than 400 GW of wind and solar electricity generation by 2030, with more than two-thirds of that capacity coming from solar. This paper examines the electricity and carbon mitigation costs to reliably operate India's grid in 2030 for a variety of wind and solar targets (200 GW to 600 GW) and the most promising options for reducing these costs. We find that systems where solar photovoltaic comprises only 25 to 50% of the total renewable target have the lowest carbon mitigation costs in most scenarios.

Author Correction: Rapid cost decrease of renewables and storage accelerates the decarbonization of China's power system.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Rapid cost decrease of renewables and storage accelerates the decarbonization of China's power system.

The costs for solar photovoltaics, wind, and battery storage have dropped markedly since 2010, however, many recent studies and reports around the world have not adequately captured such dramatic decrease. Those costs are projected to decline further in the near future, bringing new prospects for the widespread penetration of renewables and extensive power-sector decarbonization that previous policy discussions did not fully consider. Here we show if cost trends for renewables continue, 62% of China's electricity could come from non-fossil sources by 2030 at a cost that is 11% lower than achieved through a business-as-usual approach.